Raja's Rajyam. Review on Ten Best Songs of Illayaraja

Prelude Writer Asokamitran once wrote that Sivaji single handedly took Tamil cinema back by about twenty years. What he meant was that because of the thespian?s extraordinary talent Tamil film industry just went to him with scripts seemingly written for him. With no pretense paid to other aspects of film making like cinematography, editing, shot composing they depended only on his acting abilities to carry a film through. Sivaji gamely tried and succeeded till the law of diminishing returns caught up with him. You may wonder what has all this got to do with Ilayaraja. In one word everything.

Let me explain Ilayaraja made his debut in 1975 with Annakilli. Within the next three years he consolidated his position as the numero uno Music director. He was undisputed leader till a certain AR Rehman made his bow with Roja in 1993. In the interim period barring a few notable exceptions like Barathiraja , J Mahendran you felt that all one needed to make a film was a good harvest from your parents? fields- you take the money catch a train or bus to Madras as it was then called manage to get Ilayaraja to sign for your film and then worry about the story, cast, director et al. We got to see some abysmal movies made by people who would have been better of helping their parents spray pesticide or continued their existence elsewhere in complete anonymity. I could name names of at least six such people but that is neither here nor there.

These people had at least were honest. They knew their movies could get sold only because of music -so Ilayaraja ?s name started appearing in bigger and bigger size till sometimes you needed a magnifying glass to get to who the maker was. He was given fancy titles Isaignani, Maestro, Isaitheivam whatever. Ilayaraja gamely tried till the law?.. with him too. At the height of his glory it was even difficult to mention to his fans that there were other music directors who were as good as him. It was looked upon as blasphemy by his followers. I had never considered myself to be an Ilayaraja fan . I have never analysed it till now. I thought that getting to list ten songs would be a breeze. But in fifteen minutes I have short listed not less than sixty songs which I would have to whet down to ten . His body of work is enormous 600+ films . Agreed. But the sixty songs came rolling one after another because he has consistently given good music. So I have come to realize that I am an Ilayaraja fan after all . There are many ways of going about it. One is assigning the best IR has done with a particular singer, banner, lyricist. Another is picking out the best over each year. A third would be to go one or two for each genre- melody, melancholy, romance, folk whatever. Each has its own obvious pitfalls. So I would just go by my heart and let it rule the head. The songs are in no particular order. Ilaya Nila Pozhigirathu (Payanangal Mudivathillai) I was away when this movie was released. By the time I returned the movie had already had a seventy day run. None of my friends wanted to accompany me to the film as they did not relish the prospect of seeing " mike" Mohan and "oily " Poornima Jeyaram for a third time! I ended up seeing the movie alone. This particular song ends with a fabulous guitar piece and as soon as the music ended there was spontaneous clapping and whistling all around. It was remarkable .( I have seen a similar reaction only one other time but that is another story) Poove Ilaya Poove (Kozhi Koovuthu) Malaysia Vasudevan is a singer with great limitations. Bur under Ilayaraja's baton he has sung some great songs with gusto. Attukuuti muttayitu, agaya gangai are some examples. This song sizzles with his infectious enthusiasm . He more than makes up for a pisuru here or there. A catchy chorus and a saree clad Silk complete the picture. Poovil Vandu Koodum Kandu ( Kathal Oviyam) What can you say about this song? while barathiraja may have gone overboard with a blind musician falling in love with a dancer the album was very fulfilling . This song and velli chalangaigal were stand outs.  Pani Vizhum Malar Vanam ( Ninaivellam Nithya) SPB at his best. He is like honey. He paints a picture wherin you visualize every sylabble he utters. Watch out for his laugh after the ?eriyam villaku anainthu kangal moodum? If the song is played on your idiot box turn it off. No no you turn around with your back to the screen and enjoy the song.

That a director of Sridhar?s caliber has reduced this song to a P T exercise is doubly shocking. A Vairamuthu winner once again. Mayile Mayile Un Thogai Enge ( Kadavul Amaitha Medai) My personal favourite. SPB and Jency just coochie cooch their way through this lovely romantic number. I only know that it starred Sumithra in a dual role and precious little about this movie. Thankfully I have not seen the visuals. My bet is that it will be as bad as the previous one. Senthazham Poovil ( Mullum Malarum) IR?s rare association with Kannadasan. KJ Yesudas is as soulful as ever. Kannadasan?s fine lyrics make it an evergreen gem Ammavai Vanangatha ( Mannan) One KJY to another. An anthem to mother . A celebration of her virtues. This song will be sung by sons through the ages to their mothers. Ilayaraja makes his mark here by his restraint. Innum Ennai Enna Seyya Pogiraai ( Singaravelan) Joie de vivre. It is a race between SP Balasubramanian and S Janaki with the winner taking it all. At the end of the race it is a dead heat. But do you care ? No sir no you only reach out for your rewind button and hear the song one more time. Another song which has been murdered during the making. Azhagiya Kanne ( Uthiripookal) This song is an exception to the rule. You would enjoy its profound beauty only after seeing the movie. Doff your cap to J Mahendran for making the lines jump at you . The bonding between the mother and her little children have been framed for posterity by Ashok Kumar. Take a bow Anju, Haja Sherif and Aswini for looking so natural and real.

Take a bow IR for composing this song. Madai thiranthu paadum ( Nizhalgal) That brings us to the final song of my compilation?to a song which I believe personifies the composer himself. See the arrogance of the line ? Puthu raagam padaipathaale naanum iraivane? Then you realize that modesty is the virtue of fools and there is more than an iota of truth in that statement when it is applied to Ilayaraja. ? Isaikena isaiginra rasigargal rajyam? is what he has really established.